I've had the receiver engraved for a couple years and finally traded for more nickel plated parts. Since it's rainy today, I dived in converting an M41 handguard to M91 moschetto configuration. Got it mostly fitted - next step is to contour it properly. As always, once you take wood off, there's no putting it back so this will be a lengthy cut & try process.

Here are a few pics of it mocked up for fitting. I get the handguard where I want it, I'll check around for the best way to stain the beech black. Keeps me too busy to hit the taverns! Ren

It's a stylized fascist symbol specific to the moschettos carried by Mussolini's personal guards. None of those are known to exist outside museums and certainly none can be found in America. My project is to make a reproduction. Ren

Very nice, was not aware of that crest before, Many thanks for sharing, May I ask how many rifles could have been marked with that originally..?? Also.. just to ask is there any info was this marked at the factory, or was it a later stamp.. put on after the rifles left the factory??? And is this stamp only on the folding bayonet carbines like you are working on and is in the photo???

I don't have the precise number, but my best guess is fewer than 100. The moschettos were made like this in one of the armories - probably Terni. You'll occasionally see another type - most often an M38 short rifle - advertised as used by Mussolini's personal guard, but only the moschetto was so altered.

His guard was an elite unit and could have their pick of equipment. You will see a lot of photos with them carrying Beretta SMGs. I even have a pic somewhere of a guard holding a Russian PPSh escorting Benito at some military event. Ren